Poll: Little confidence in federal decisionmaking

Though Americans generally give negative reviews to the federal government and BP for the response to the Gulf Coast oil spill, it appears the environmental disaster also may have further eroded confidence in the federal government to make proper decisions.

Beyond the widespread dissatisfaction with its current handling of the crisis, 73 percent in the new Post-ABC poll say they have little or no confidence in federal decision-making. Of course, even more, 80 percent, lack faith in BP, but that hardly eases the political risks for White House. Among independents, 78 percent have just some or zero confidence the feds will make good choices; 87 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of Democrats feel the same.

• Obama orders more budget cuts: The White House is directing agencies to develop plans for trimming at least 5 percent from their budgets by identifying programs that do little to advance their missions or President Obama's agenda, The Post's Lori Montgomery scoops today. A memo set for release today by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and OMB Director Peter R. Orszag directs agency heads to supply their lists of potential cuts to the budget office by Sept. 13. Orszag said his office will use agency recommendations to make sure the president's overall 2012 budget blueprint meets the goal of freezing all discretionary spending except in national security.

• Chat With The Eye: Join the Federal Eye for the daily Post Politics Hour at 11:30 a.m. ET Tuesday. We'll discuss the dozens of primaries across the country, the Obama administration's new mandated budget cuts and other federal news developments. Submit your questions and join the chat here.

CIA:
• CIA honors 12 officers, contractors killed in action: The agency on Monday memorialized the officers and contractors killed in action by a suicide bomber in eastern Afghanistan on Dec. 30.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT:
• U.S. intelligence analyst investigated for allegedly divulging classified information: Army Spec. Bradley Manning, 22, is being held in Kuwait while officials conduct an investigation, according to the military. He has not been charged.

• Military intelligence tapping social networking skills: Hunched over monitors streaming live video from a drone, a team of analysts recently popped in and out of several military chat rooms, reaching out more than 7,000 miles to warn Marines about roadside bombs and to track Taliban gunfire.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
• Obama addresses Michigan high school graduation: Typically presidents address college graduates at this time of year. But Obama chose to address more than 280 graduates of Kalamazoo Central High School in a bid to build his brand for education reform: Race to the Top.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT:
• FOIA requests dropped in 2009: Formal requests for federal data and information dropped by more than 47,000 in fiscal 2009 compared with the previous year, a drop the Obama administration ties to its decision to post more government data online.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE:
• Battle of the Transformers starts even before the opening credits: Producers of the "Transformers" franchise want to stage a "car race" on the National Mall. No way, says the agency.

What is going on in Gulf of Mexico is horrible, Some photos make you sick of this oil spill. What are they still doing? I received an email from a friend that if you are affected from the oil spill and would like to claim compensation from oil spill claim center, here is the place http://bit.ly/8Xj11D please forward this to your friends and family affected by this oil spill.

It is impossible to have confidence in something that does not exist. There is no federal decisionmaking in regard to the BP oil spill. BP is in charge.

A case in point:
BP and USCG will eventually use tankers to collect the Gulf oil spill. Unfortunately, this decision will be made after the devastation of many coastal communities.

Since May 17, 2010, Renergie, Inc. has submitted unsolicited proposals for the purpose of using three Panamax class crude tankers for the collection and onboard separation of the BP oil spill to every federal agency, state agency, state elected official and federal elected official with even a remote interest in the BP oil spill.

The USCG response to Renergie's proposal stated, “Unfortunately, the Coast Guard does not currently have a mission and is not hiring contractors. However, if BP requests names, I will recommend and forward your company.”

I am a marine engineer (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Class of 1975) and attorney with 35 years of experience. Implementation of this proposal would prevent, or at least greatly limit, more of the surface oil and underwater plume of oil from coming ashore.

The blowout of April 20, 2010 aboard the Deepwater Horizon was clearly preventable. The fact that the BP oil spill has been allowed to reach coastal areas is inexcusable.

We know, We know....Republicans are outraged at the Government when Democrats are in office yet when Republicans are in office, it is crazy how the public is bad and politicians have their hands tied behind their back